Renel Ghana Foundation participated in the second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha, Qatar, which convened over 14,000 global participants.

The event brought together heads of state, ministers, development practitioners, civil society representatives, and private sector leaders to advance global dialogue on inclusive growth, social justice, and sustainable development.

Renel Ghana Foundation was represented by Mr. Nelson Richardson-Mandela, the Executive Director and Ms. Latifa Abdul-Hadi, the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer.

Both delegates actively contributed to plenary and thematic sessions, sharing experiences from Ghana and engaging in policy-oriented discussions that emphasized inclusion, equity, and social transformation.

Beyond the main plenary sessions, Renel Ghana Foundation’s delegates participated in multiple thematic and parallel sessions, including

1. The Civil Society Forum
2. The Private Sector Forum
3. Advancing Disability Rights
   Innovative Social Protection Systems
4. Strengthening Social Dialogue
5. Advancing Care-centered Solutions for an Equal World and
   Participatory Governance.

Additionally, the team attended a side event organized by the African Union, themed “No Social Development Without Inclusion.”

At the Civil Society Forum, Mr. Richardson-Mandela joined civil society leaders and grassroots activists to highlight the importance of civic engagement and community-led initiatives as drivers of sustainable social change.

He emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between the government and civil society in shaping inclusive policies.

During the Private Sector Forum, Ms. Abdul-Hadi underscored the transformative potential of public–private partnerships, encouraging businesses to integrate social responsibility and gender equity into their core strategies to translate economic growth into tangible social outcomes.

In the session on Advancing Disability Rights, Renel Ghana Foundation contributed perspectives on building inclusive societies through accessible infrastructure, empowerment initiatives, and rights-based policy frameworks for persons with disabilities.

At the Innovative Social Protection Systems forum, the delegation explored digital innovations in welfare delivery, climate-sensitive social protection, and adaptive systems designed to strengthen resilience against global crises.

During discussions on Strengthening Social Dialogue, Renel Ghana Foundation advocated for enhanced tripartite collaboration among governments, employers, and workers, emphasizing that genuine dialogue is crucial for reducing inequality, preventing conflict, and ensuring decent work.

Under the Advancing Care-centered Solutions for an Equal World theme, Ms. Abdul-Hadi shared insights on Renel Ghana Foundation’s ongoing initiative to pilot a One-Stop Support Center supporting Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors.

This initiative, implemented under the Gender Rights and Empowerment Project in collaboration with SONGTABA and funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, aims to provide comprehensive services like legal, psychosocial, and health support to survivors in one accessible location.

In the Participatory Governance discussions, Renel Ghana Foundation emphasized the importance of inclusive decision-making and shared examples of participatory budgeting, youth engagement, and local governance frameworks that empower marginalized voices and strengthen democratic processes.

Reflecting on the summit, Mr. Nelson Richardson-Mandela, Executive Director of Renel Ghana Foundation, stated: “The Doha Summit reaffirmed our collective responsibility to place people at the center of development. For Renel Ghana Foundation, it was an opportunity to share our grassroots experiences and strengthen our resolve to build an equitable and inclusive society.”

Ms. Latifa Abdul-Hadi, Gender Equality and Inclusion Officer of Renel Ghana Foundation, added: “Our discussions in Doha underscored the urgency of investing in care-centered policies and gender-responsive systems that protect and empower survivors of gender-based violence.”